Sonus Faber Venere 2.5...what I think about those

[acalex]

Well well, I popped yesterday for a visit to Francis' shop in Antwerpen and I am glad to find out he just put in place and connected the new floorstanders from Sonus Faber, the Venere 2.5 in glossy black. I had a lot of time to have a look and have a listen also.

Units are brand new so not run-in yet. We used a Macintosh cd player (5k euro) and a Clearaudio Cocnept turntable. Amoplifier was a stunning-for-the-price Mastersound Dueventi, 2x20W pure class A tube amp with EL34 tubes. Another Italian product

Speakers are greatly built...unbelievable what 2500 euro can buy. Usual Sonus Faber style, nice line, imposing speakers and very elegant. Pity the only grey ring around the tweeter in a full black front. It's a "cheapo" touch which looks a little bit made in China...but close your eyes on that and sit down for a listen

Didn't listen attentively for the first 30 minutes as amp was warming up and speakers are out of the box. Once I sit down something I notice straight away: those speakers are very different from any other Sonus Faber speaker I have heard. They are quite aggressive, quite bright. The delaer also feelt the same and I was so glad as I realized I am starting to learn something

It's like sitting in the front row...but that might not be pleasant for a long listening session. Had to take a pause and stand up every now and then, go for a tour in the shop and coming back. It might also be that they were brand new so need a proper run-in, this will be fixed next Saturday as I am going there and have a new listen after they have been playing 24/7 for an entire week.

I was very impressed by this "small" 20W tube amplifier driving those big speakers as loud as you want to go (we went very loud on the Flamenco Fever record). Sound was 3D, the speakers were filling the room with great authority. Very detailed and open, a lot of air...but pity as in the bass department they are a bit shy. I was used to a much better bass from the Guarneri Memento.

But ehy...those floorstanders are very good for the price (2500 euro price tag) and are a great match with a tube amplifier actually. I will report a bit more next week when I have a second good listen!

 

[CnoEvil]

Mastersound make great amps and the McIntosh should have been big, bold and smooth...so your observations are interesting and probably due to the newness of the speakers.

Be careful in case SF are removing what makes them unique, which could be a bit of a lottery as to whether it works or not.....other brands specialize in clean, detailed and musical, but have been doing it for longer.

I don't think you need telling....but was thinking out loud, and basing it on nothing but pure conjecture.

 

[acalex]

Mastersound make great amps and the McIntosh should have been big, bold and smooth...so your observations are interesting and probably due to the newness of the speakers. Be careful in case SF are removing what makes them unique, which could be a bit of a lottery as to whether it works or not.....other brands specialize in clean, detailed and musical, but have been doing it for longer. I don't think you need telling....but was thinking out loud, and basing it on nothing but pure conjecture.

Was very impressed by Mastersound indeed. A "low-powered" amp with a lot of authority, impact and detail.

I also think that it is due to the newess of speakers as I can't believe SF is changing so drastically the policy...

Anyway I will be able to tell something better next weekend.

 

[NHL]

Interesting that the speakers are bright and unbearable. Have read other reviews which have praised them as real Sonus quality speakers.

 

[Macspur]

I'm not sure you'll be happy with anything else other than the SFG's Alex.

The Mastersound compact 845 is a valve amp on my radar for the new year... the only thing that puts me off, it has to be manually biased.

Mac

 

[acalex]

Interesting that the speakers are bright and unbearable. Have read other reviews which have praised them as real Sonus quality speakers.

Don't get me wrong...I havent said thy are rubbish speakers !

But again, those were out of the box units so on Saturday night of next week I will have a much better view!

 

[acalex]

I'm not sure you'll be happy with anything else other than the SFG's Alex.

The Mastersound compact 845 is a valve amp on my radar for the new year... the only thing that puts me off, it has to be manually biased.

Mac

If you are interested Mac, I can connect it next weekend to the Venere as Francis has it in stock (the Mastersound 845)

I know, yesterday I had another look at the SFG and said to Francis I will take them (after 2 bottles of Amarone though )! Still haven't figured out when and how, but this is happening!

 

[Helmut80]

Ooh, they are very very sexy! Thank you for sharing your first impressions with us, always appreciated.

Are they supposed t replace the Toy Towers, or do they sit in between the Toy and Liuto towers?

edit: are they front ported, or what is that at the bottom?

 

[CnoEvil]

Interesting that the speakers are bright and unbearable. Have read other reviews which have praised them as real Sonus quality speakers.

I think you are right...reading reviews like this:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonusfaber3/1.html

I suspect they may sound a little "fresher" than the usual SF, so either they need a lot of running in, or they need more muscle than the Mastersound is able to provide.

In theory, they should be able to "bat" well above their price level, and so are definitely a speaker to keep an eye on.

 

[Macspur]

I'm not sure you'll be happy with anything else other than the SFG's Alex.

The Mastersound compact 845 is a valve amp on my radar for the new year... the only thing that puts me off, it has to be manually biased.

Mac

If you are interested Mac, I can connect it next weekend to the Venere as Francis has it in stock (the Mastersound 845)

I know, yesterday I had another look at the SFG and said to Francis I will take them (after 2 bottles of Amarone though )! Still haven't figured out when and how, but this is happening!

LOL!

Yes Alex, would be interested in your impressions of the Compact 845 if that were possible.

Cheers

Mac

 

[acalex]

Interesting that the speakers are bright and unbearable. Have read other reviews which have praised them as real Sonus quality speakers.

I think you are right...reading reviews like this: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/sonusfaber3/1.html I suspect they may sound a little "fresher" than the usual SF, so either they need a lot of running in, or they need more muscle than the Mastersound is able to provide. In theory, they should be able to "bat" well above their price level, and so are definitely a speaker to keep an eye on.

Maybe, or maybe not

I definitely think it might be because of the run-in period, but I am almost certain is not the typical SF print (I have listened to quite a lot of them now...)

 

[tino]

Speakers are greatly built...unbelievable what 2500 euro can buy. Usual Sonus Faber style, nice line, imposing speakers and very elegant. Pity the only grey ring around the tweeter in a full black front. It's a "cheapo" touch which looks a little bit made in China...but close your eyes on that and sit down for a listen

I think the Veneres are made in China ... I do like the 1.5 in white on the optional stands ... reminds me a little of the Linn Kiko speakers. Initial listening reviews of the 1.5/2.5 seem very good.

 

[acalex]

Speakers are greatly built...unbelievable what 2500 euro can buy. Usual Sonus Faber style, nice line, imposing speakers and very elegant. Pity the only grey ring around the tweeter in a full black front. It's a "cheapo" touch which looks a little bit made in China...but close your eyes on that and sit down for a listen

I think the Veneres are made in China ... I do like the 1.5 in white on the optional stands ... reminds me a little of the Linn Kiko speakers. Initial listening reviews of the 1.5/2.5 seem very good.

Yes, Venere are made in China, I know.

Stands of 1.5 are quite crap to be honest as I helped Francis to build them and assembling them was like assembling an IKEA piece of furniture...

Btw glad to read you again Tino :cheers:

 

[tino]

Speakers are greatly built...unbelievable what 2500 euro can buy. Usual Sonus Faber style, nice line, imposing speakers and very elegant. Pity the only grey ring around the tweeter in a full black front. It's a "cheapo" touch which looks a little bit made in China...but close your eyes on that and sit down for a listen

I think the Veneres are made in China ... I do like the 1.5 in white on the optional stands ... reminds me a little of the Linn Kiko speakers. Initial listening reviews of the 1.5/2.5 seem very good.

Yes, Venere are made in China, I know.

Stands of 1.5 are quite crap to be honest as I helped Francis to build them and assembling them was like assembling an IKEA piece of furniture...

Btw glad to read you again Tino :cheers:

You too ... we know that when you disappear for a few weeks of intensive listening and auditioning there is always something interesting to hear about :cheers:

PS You need to convince Cno to unplug his Linn DS and take it over to Belgium so that you can listen to it

 

[acalex]

Speakers are greatly built...unbelievable what 2500 euro can buy. Usual Sonus Faber style, nice line, imposing speakers and very elegant. Pity the only grey ring around the tweeter in a full black front. It's a "cheapo" touch which looks a little bit made in China...but close your eyes on that and sit down for a listen

I think the Veneres are made in China ... I do like the 1.5 in white on the optional stands ... reminds me a little of the Linn Kiko speakers. Initial listening reviews of the 1.5/2.5 seem very good.

Yes, Venere are made in China, I know.

Stands of 1.5 are quite crap to be honest as I helped Francis to build them and assembling them was like assembling an IKEA piece of furniture...

Btw glad to read you again Tino :cheers:

You too ... we know that when you disappear for a few weeks of intensive listening and auditioning there is always something interesting to hear about :cheers:

PS You need to convince Cno to unplug his Linn DS and take it over to Belgium so that you can listen to it

Tino, on Tuestday I have an extensive demo session of the all Linn chain :cheers:

I will report back for sure...

 

[csq2]

...but pity as in the bass department they are a bit shy

What do you expect? They are driven by a 20W tube amp. These speakers require a more powerful solid state amp to drive them. I'm actually glad they are agressive and bright, because I'd be worried if they were too "polite" sounding. Thanks for the review, can't wait to hear them and maybe even get a pair myself.

 

[drummerman]

...

I was very impressed by this "small" 20W tube amplifier driving those big speakers as loud as you want to go (we went very loud on the Flamenco Fever record) ...

... and this may well have been part of the problem.

regards

 

[acalex]

Dont think it had anything to do with that. I will have a better view on Saturday when speakers are a bit more used and I can play with different amplification also.

Btw I am also convinced more and more that these "low-powered" tube amplifiers are able to drive easily speakers which you won't expect.

Anyway if you are after a bright and aggressive speaker I think you are maybe looking at the wrong brand, just my personal point of view of course

 

[Roby]

Just to ad my tought's,

I didn't have a proper listening session as I was mostly walking arroun an just from time to time sat down try to be more cocentrated.

Considering the price of the set it was not bad but than I provably get spoiled

I mean it was fresh an clean. But yes I had the feeling it was to bright an it was defibetly missng som boum....Like Alec said they where brand new an the woofers need to settle. I don't think the problem came from the amp IMO thos pure Class A 20W where more than enough you could hear this little amp had plent of gripp on those big speakers.

To be honest (ot saing I'm neutral here) I think my 683's have more bass authority but it's just a tought I expect my meaning to change when I hear the speaker again when it's well runed in.

Because on the detail department is an other story but that's also what made it a bit to bright to my taste.

Bothem line for me is that I think it's a good speaker provably (for me it's to early to tell. But in the price range I heard better

BW CM8, Pro listening session arc D18, Vienna acoustic...

But 2 thinks before I can give you an honest tought's

1 a better listening session

2 they need to be runned in properly (the woofers need to settle in a bit more)

About the design it's personal you can see it's SF well finnished an impressive to the eyes at the first look.

Personaly I prefer a more clasical wooden finish but oké they look nice anyway except for the silver ring arround the tweeter.

So I expect them to sound better next week because once again I was not convinced by SF, I heard a fiew models by now an I was convinced only twice.

Don't get me wrong I think SF make superb product's an I'm Always impressed by what thier products but regardless what most people say they are IMO they are really picky about what you hook them up with to have the sound I'm afther but when you found the right match it absolutle heaven. An this have absolytly nthing to do with the power rating per chanel of an amp (I mean I heard SF sing with Alex's Jadis so....an it wasn't the case hooked up to the AMS).

Maybe SF sing with tube's as the 2 time's I heard theme sing was conected to a tube amp. :?

(even now regardles the negative points I mentioned you could feel it worked well connected to that Tube amp)

grtz

 

[acalex]

Roby, thanks for your insights. I agree with you on most of the things...expecially on the fact that Sonus Faber and tube amps really sing together. It's a match which I have been witnessing going from great (the Mastersound + Venere) to gorgeus (my Jadis + SFG) to heaven (the Audio research set + Amati futura).

So again I don't think the 20W are responsible for lack of bass...especially because the problem wasn't bass controlled properly but just missing.

Anyway, interesting times ahead...with these amazing SFG coming home very soon :cheers:

 

[oldric_naubhoff]

...

I was very impressed by this "small" 20W tube amplifier driving those big speakers as loud as you want to go (we went very loud on the Flamenco Fever record) ...

... and this may well have been part of the problem.

regards

nah.... I don't think they used more than 5W RMS anyway.

 

[acalex]

Well, again today very very impressed with the Mastersound Dueventi driving the SF Venere which, this time, had grids on.

It was way better than last week and most of the edge was gone. Still was missing something in the bass department (delaer said the woofer still had to break in) but overall it was a smooth, warm, open and rich sound. Still compared to any other SF I have heard, a little bit less laid back than usual.

Btw a system like this (Mastersound + Sonus Faber Venere + Sonos) is a giant killer for the price (around 5.5k euro for the all package). Saw the Mastersound 845 but did not have time to connect.

Tuesday evening the SFG are coming home :cheers:

 

[Macspur]

Well, again today very very impressed with the Mastersound Dueventi driving the SF Venere which, this time, had grids on.

It was way better than last week and most of the edge was gone. Still was missing something in the bass department (delaer said the woofer still had to break in) but overall it was a smooth, warm, open and rich sound. Still compared to any other SF I have heard, a little bit less laid back than usual.

Btw a system like this (Mastersound + Sonus Faber Venere + Sonos) is a giant killer for the price (around 5.5k euro for the all package). Saw the Mastersound 845 but did not have time to connect.

Tuesday evening the SFG are coming home :cheers:

Bet you can't wait to get those beauties in place!

The Dueventi is the entry level Mastersound integrated, expect the SFV would have sounded even better with the Due Trenta or Compact.

For the price, sounds like the Venere's are a speaker worth considering.

Mac

 

[acalex]

Well, again today very very impressed with the Mastersound Dueventi driving the SF Venere which, this time, had grids on.

It was way better than last week and most of the edge was gone. Still was missing something in the bass department (delaer said the woofer still had to break in) but overall it was a smooth, warm, open and rich sound. Still compared to any other SF I have heard, a little bit less laid back than usual.

Btw a system like this (Mastersound + Sonus Faber Venere + Sonos) is a giant killer for the price (around 5.5k euro for the all package). Saw the Mastersound 845 but did not have time to connect.

Tuesday evening the SFG are coming home :cheers:

Bet you can't wait to get those beauties in place!

The Dueventi is the entry level Mastersound integrated, expect the SFV would have sounded even better with the Due Trenta or Compact.

For the price, sounds like the Venere's are a speaker worth considering.

Mac

Mac, what I have heard yesterday with Dueventi driving the Venere was absolutely beautiful, also considering the price range where they position themselves (2.6k eur for amp and 2.5k eur for speakers) and you have a very balanced, smooth and powerful sounding system. To keep in mind for a 5k target system...(with a lit of bit of pressure you can get 20% off the prices of components so you could also squeeze a source in the package for that price)

 

[CnoEvil]

Well, again today very very impressed with the Mastersound Dueventi driving the SF Venere which, this time, had grids on.

It was way better than last week and most of the edge was gone. Still was missing something in the bass department (delaer said the woofer still had to break in) but overall it was a smooth, warm, open and rich sound. Still compared to any other SF I have heard, a little bit less laid back than usual.

Btw a system like this (Mastersound + Sonus Faber Venere + Sonos) is a giant killer for the price (around 5.5k euro for the all package). Saw the Mastersound 845 but did not have time to connect.

Tuesday evening the SFG are coming home :cheers:

Glad to see these speakers starting to shine......and it's probably a good thing the Mastersound 845 stayed where it was, as it, along with the McIntosh MC 275 and Icon Audio MB 845 (Signature) monoblocks, is an absolute classic. :shifty: